Rev. Billy Graham dies at age 99

Rev. Billy Graham, world-renowned evangelist and advisor/minister to U. S. Presidents, died early Wednesday, morning, February 21, 2018. According to a family spokesman, the 99-year old Rev. Graham passed away at his home in Montreat, North Carolina, surrounded by family.

Over the years, the legendary evangelist became known as “America’s Pastor.” Throughout the day, Rev. Graham has been memorialized by colleagues, political figures, and everyday people he reached around the globe through his preaching.

Bishop Joseph Bambera, Chairman of the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, issued a statement on learning of Rev. Graham’s death. In his statement Bishop Bambera remarked: “Headlines today will describe Billy Graham as the preacher to millions and the advisor of presidents but first and foremost, he was a man of deep Christian faith. Committed to the Gospel, his personal witness and preaching of Jesus Christ touched the hearts of Americans spanning many generations.”

In a separate statement, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, USCCB President noted: “Billy Graham was a preacher of God’s Word not only in his sermons, but also in the very life he lived.”